SUSPENDED Labour MP George Galloway received a standing ovation from a 150-strong crowd and issued an election warning to Jack Straw when he visited Blackburn.

The controversial politician addressed a Stop the War Coalition (STWC) rally on the day party officials began an internal investigation into his comments during the war with Iraq.

And as the group called on him to stand as an independent in the town if he is thrown out of the Labour party, he warned Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Mr Straw to listen to his constituents or pay the price at the ballot box.

The Glasgow Kelvin MP arrived at the meeting, at Jan's Conference Centre, Higher Audley Street, just hours after he was suspended from the Labour Party after 35 years.

Party officials said comments he made on Abu Dhabi TV, referring to George Bush and Tony Blair as being "like wolves", may have invited other Arab nations to fight against the British Army.

Mr Galloway, who addressed the Blackburn with Darwen STWC last March, said he felt he had been "stabbed in the back" by the Labour Party leadership.

And he claimed their intention was to prejudice his libel actions against the Daily Telegraph and the Christian Monitor, which alleged he received millions from Saddam Hussein's government.

The Stop the War Coalition sent half of a collection taken at the meeting to Mr Galloway's defence fund to fight his libel actions.

STWC committee member Parvaiz Awan called for him to stand as an independent in Blackburn to oppose Jack Straw at the next general election if he is expelled from the party, an invitation which Mr Galloway said was "touching" but one which he declined.

But he added: "I do think Mr Straw should listen more to his constituents because he would find that the war on Iraq which he seems so proud of is not popular. He shows all the signs of arrogance over an issue which deeply divides our country.

"It's a very touching thought that I could stand in Blackburn but I have a very strong political base in Glasgow and I intend to defend it. The constituency members will decide Mr Straw's future.

"I have always been proud of my friendship with community leaders in Blackburn which goes back a long way over issues such as Palestine and Kashmir.

"It comes to something when you can be thrown into the parliamentary wilderness for something you have said.

"I have a conscience which says this war was wrong. I said it for years and I couldn't stop saying it once the war had begun."

STWC secretary Graham Carter added: "I'm thrilled to bits to have George here because he's been unwavering in his opposition to the war and hasn't let the pressure get to him.

"I would support any move for him to come to Blackburn. We need to stir the Labour party around here up a bit."

Mr Awan added: "Mr Galloway is particularly popular with people in Blackburn because out of all the national figures he was the only one to take time to come and speak to us.

"He has always commanded respect here and has campaigned with many Muslim leaders over the years."

Community worker and Lancashire Council of Mosques member Musa Haldani said: "I feel Mr Galloway represents my views better than Jack Straw and I know others feel the same."

Mr Straw declined to comment today, but his election agent, Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Bill Taylor, said: "With Iraq, Jack had to make some far reaching decisions and I think he dealt with it in an exemplary fashion and he has been an exemplary representative for this constituency."